Bill Wyman Announces New ‘Back to Basics’ Album

The former Rolling Stones bassist has recorded sparingly since quitting the band in 1992, remaining fairly quiet during the decade following a string of records released with his group the Rhythm Kings between 1997-2005. While the Rhythm Kings have continued to tour in recent years, Wyman seemed to think his solo recording career was over — until he stumbled across a collection of demos that inspired him to put a new album together.

Titled Back to Basics and due June 22 in the U.K., the LP marks Wyman's first widely available solo effort since a self-titled release in 1982. He was joined during the sessions by a band that included members of the Rhythm Kings as well as former Dire Straits keyboardist Guy Fletcher and former Paul McCartney and Pretenders guitarist Robbie McIntosh.

Promising an "unashamedly stripped back" set that "wears its influences on its sleeve," a press release announcing Back to Basics notes that Wyman chose three songs from his demo stash and rounded out the album with new compositions. "Initially I thought I’m a bit old for this," he quips. "But then I thought all the old blues musicians played till they dropped, so why don’t I give it a go?"

Signed copies of Back to Basics are available in limited quantities through Proper Music's website. Check out the complete track listing below.